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What's on at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard this Half-term?

16 May 2017

Captain Hardy Welcomes Visitors to the Historic Dockyard

One destination, 11 attractions and one amazing day out.

This May half term, families need look no further than Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for an amazing day out. With 11 attractions waiting to be explored, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard promises all ages a day of heroic encounters, experiencing the ins and outs of Britain’s 800 years of ground-breaking naval heritage. It’s the place #WhereAdventuresBegin.

New in 2017, this exclusive exhibition marks the centenary of the formation of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS). Girls and boys will be inspired by the stories of bravery and gallantry whilst following the history of women and the Royal Navy from the age of sail to the present day, hearing the many surprising and lesser-known stories of naval women stretching back centuries.

NOW included in All Attraction Ticket - Scale to new heights

The popular mast climbing experience at Boathouse 4 is now included in the All Attraction Ticket so families can step up to the challenge during a visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Courageous visitors over 1.1m tall can put their wits to the test by scaling the ‘Mast & Rigging’ experience to reach the crow’s nest that overlooks the Boatbuilding Skills Training Centre on the ground floor of this historic building.

During May half term families can step into Victorian naval crew’s shoes on board HMS Warrior 1860. The ship’s company will host talks in the Sick Berth about life on board for ill crew, what medicines they would have been given and how the doctor would have cared for them in such a limited environment. Small arms demonstrations and gun drills on the gun deck will round off the immersive experience into Victorian battle.

Having revealed a new look and visitor route in 2016, HMS Victory, one of the world’s most famous defenders of Britain, now also offers visitors an audio guide for tours around the ship’s nooks and crannies. Families can walk in Nelson’s footprints, experience life on board first hand and step inside Nelson’s cabin and the Poop Deck, which were only first revealed to the visiting public last year.

Between the 27 May and 4 June 2017, families can take part in some Totally Tudor fun at the Mary Rose. Tudor arts and craft activities will run throughout the day to entertain all ages – the perfect accompaniment to meeting the Mary Rose Crew, taking in the spectacular projected vignettes of the crew on the hull of the Tudor Ship and hearing all about life on board.

All Attractions Ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, one year unlimited access ticket